It was a big win Tuesday night for the USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden school district after the passage of a $129.5 million bond referendum.
The bond passed by a 63 percent margin with 11,179 votes in favor. Board member Leah Fliter says she was cautiously optimistic heading into election night and says she believes the business community ultimately recognized the value in supporting the measure.
As a result, the district will be able to make some much anticipated improvements to safety and security concerns at each building and construct a new elementary school in Blue Township which is anticipated for opening by the fall of 2021. Board President Curt Herrman says the board plans to begin the process of starting the project as soon as possible.
Fliter says a big chunk of the bond is going toward easing overcrowding.
Also to be constructed is an expanded west campus of Manhattan High School which will eventually house 9th through 12th grade students, according to Herrman.
The referendum also paves the way for new construction at both Manhattan middle schools to eventually house sixth grade students who currently attend each of the district’s elementary schools. New storm shelters also will be constructed.
